8.15.060: SEIZURE AND DISPOSITION; VICIOUS ANIMALS:
   A.   Upon the occurrence of circumstances resulting in the seizure of an animal by animal services, the procedures governing the potential classification and disposition of the animal shall be conducted as set forth in this section.
   B.   The office of animal services shall prepare written criteria or standards to objectively evaluate the facts and circumstances surrounding a bite or other animal attack. The evaluation criteria shall include bite or attack severity, observed animal behavior, animal history, animal owner's background or history, and such other circumstances as may be appropriate, based on current professional standards. Aggravating and mitigating circumstances for each evaluation criteria shall be rated on a numerical scale in such a way that all circumstances and facts may be objectively calculated in determining the severity of the animal attack, the nature of the animal's behavior, and the appropriate response by animal services.
   C.   When an animal has been seized by the office of animal services, such office shall serve written notice to the owner that a meeting with the director or designee shall be conducted on a date no sooner than five (5) business days from the date of the notice, at a date, time and place designated in the notice. The purpose of the meeting shall be to discuss the facts and circumstances of the matter and to give an opportunity to both the owner and the animal services representative to present those facts. Any complaints or other reports may be reviewed and discussed and the animal attack evaluation form, where applicable, shall be explained to the owner. This meeting is not considered a formal administrative hearing and shall be conducted accordingly. Following the meeting, the director or designee shall issue written findings regarding the meeting, including a decision regarding the disposition of the animal, to be issued within two (2) business days following the meeting.
   D.   The animal owner may appeal the written findings required in subsection C of this section by filing a written request with animal services within five (5) business days after such findings are issued. If such an appeal is made, animal services shall conduct a formal administrative hearing as set forth herein. The hearing will be conducted by a person trained or experienced in law, mediation or arbitration, or animal services. Witnesses may be called and documents and other evidence presented for admission. The Utah rules of civil procedure and evidence shall be used as guidelines for the conduct of this hearing, but shall not be binding. A record of the hearing shall be maintained. The hearing officer shall prepare written findings and a decision within five (5) business days of the hearing. No sooner than ten (10) business days following the issuance of the hearing officer's decision, the animal may be destroyed or otherwise processed by animal services, including, but not limited to, the sale or other placement of animals in circumstances of cruelty or neglect. (Ord. 8-15, 2015)